Kokuyōsai Saké Cup by Suzuki Tomio

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Description

Much of Suzuki Tomio's inspiration is drawn from both Western and Japanese classical literature, mythology and poetry - works which he says serve as his sensei, or teacher. And in this striking saké cup we see a reference to Dante's Inferno.

The cup is glazed in Suzuki's signature kokuyōsai. The name means "shimmering black" in Japanese and, apart from shino, is the only other style in which the artist works. During firing, red and white drip details of feldspar and iron oxide run down a base glaze of manganese - a stunning effect which adds a real sense of depth and heated energy.

A gem for any saké ware collection.

Suzuki Tomio's shino pottery is held in private collections around the world and, in 2011, was acquired by the Philadelphia Museum of Art for display in their East Asian Art collection.